Fiberglass and Plastic Yachts

Fiberglass and plastic yachts are light, agile, fast and inexpensive. Even when it is being driven by a sail, rest assured you’re going to come in first. The fiberglass yachts are the record holders in the world of racing watercraft.

The Price.

The price depends on the following:

• the size
• type of material (plastic reinforced with fiberglass, composites)
• the form complexity
• number of yachts made

The last factor will be described further on.

Considering the fact that plastic is cheaper than wood, aluminum, or steel, it is only logical to conclude that the final price of such yacht would be lower as well.

Manufacturing process and the net cost.

The manufacturing cost is comprised of two factors.

• the cost of the master mold
• the cost of molding

The hull is made very easily: first, at the wharf, the cast iron mold is designed and made. Then the plastic is poured into the mold. The mold itself costs more than the entire hull made of metal. Plastic hulls, however, have a minimum net cost.

Thus, if you wanted to order an individually designed yacht, it would be very costly and the waiting period would also be quite extensive. Mass produced hulls are quite different. In other words, its cost doesn’t exceed the cost of the material. But don’t be fast to jump to the conclusion that mass-produced hulls are the same as the serial yachts. On top of those hulls, manufacturers can create some truly exclusive vessels using superstructures, interior pieces, and various equipment.

Performance Features.

If graded by performance, the plastic yachts have no competition. A light boat is easily rolled, so the manufacturers are constantly modernizing the industrial process and tweaking the yachts’ construction. Another disadvantage of a plastic yacht is its low durability. Plastic is not as flexible as metal, it simply breaks. At low temperatures it becomes very fragile. Due to this reason, fiberglass and plastic yachts are operated during warm seasons or in climates close to equator. Going up to the northern seas in such a yacht is a great risk. If there is any slight collision, the hull will tear. Patching it on your own (especially in the open sea) is very difficult, if not impossible.

In North Russian and North American climates, such yachts should be used after all of the ice is melted and only in rivers and ponds wide enough to avoid risks of colliding. On the other hand, a little plastic yacht is easier to steer away from obstacles, making accidents pretty rare.

Plastic also tends to melt when exposed to high temperatures, let alone a fire. If your vessel should catch on fire due to a wiring malfunction, carelessness or other reasons, you are more than likely to lose the entire yacht if the flames are not extinguished within 5 to 10 minutes.

Maintainability.

Overall maintenance of a fiberglass and plastic yacht is low, but if the hull gets damaged, you are likely to spend a lot of time and money fixing it. Not a lot of companies repair such yachts. Finding a good specialist is also a challenge: a simple crack can be fixed by any welder, but when it comes down to repairing some plastic details and we’re talking quality repairing, it is very hard to find a professional for the job.

In short, a plastic body is an inexpensive solution for speed lovers at seas. But as a universal watercraft, plastic yachts leave little to be desired.

Fiberglass Yachts

When looking to purchase a fiberglass or plastic yacht, it is important to determine what features matter most to you as a buyer.

Our selection of new and previously owned plastic and fiberglass yachts include these brands: Richmond Yachts, West Port 2016, Christensen, Sunseeker 2015, Admiral, Hargrave, Nedship, Benetti, Azimut and more.

Plastic Yachts

Plastic yachts are built for performance over sustainability. So, if you’ve considered yacht racing, plastic or fiberglass yachts are fast and inexpensive compared to other materials like steel, aluminum, or wood, used when building yachts

Atlantic Yacht and Ship, Inc., is a fully licensed and bonded yacht broker. Our brokerage network extends from the largest marine center on the East Coast in Miami and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, all the way to Moscow (Russia) giving us access to a plethora of the finest selection of fiberglass yachts available for purchase in the world. We can assist you with negotiating the purchase or sell of your yacht and can provide financing and legal support as well. Whether you are looking to sell or purchase new or previously owned plastic or fiberglass yachts, we have the experience and wisdom to help you find a yacht that fits both your budget and desires.